(Credit:
CNET Networks)
It appears that sometimes wishes really do come true. Last week I talked about iGolf, hoping that Version 2.0 would include some sort of course to play through. Apparently this was already in the works. With Version 2.0 you can now play through three holes in addition to hitting for distance at the driving range. It still needs some work (putting requires you to perform a full swing making it less-than-ideal), but adding the three playable holes is a nice touch. I should point out that if you don't have a good grip while playing you may throw your iPhone across the room. Comments for this app at the iTunes Store include the sad tale of an iPhone owner who let his daughter take a whack at a golf ball only to watch as his iPhone flew out his third-story window. So make sure you have a good grip!
Hold down the Bowl button and start your armswing.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Perhaps the better news, however, is while searching for iGolf to get the update I found SGN's other new free iPhone game, iBowl. Like iGolf, iBowl uses the iPhone's accelerometer to play the game. How it works is you hold the Bowl button and start your armswing motion, then release the button (but not your iPhone!) at the end of your swing to send the ball down the alley. You can also adjust which side of the lane you want to start your swing which makes picking up spares much easier. The game offers some nice audio for hitting the pins, but you get no sound for the ball rolling down the alley, and hitting a single pin has the same sound as hitting a strike. A two-player option would be a nice addition, with the ability to pass the iPhone back and forth with a friend, but overall iBowl still manages to be a great time waster.
Try tilting your iPhone from side to side and watch the flame sway back and forth.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Another iPhone app that has been quickly moving to the top of the iTunes Store's most popular list is Moderati's Virtual Zippo Lighter. I happen to be a big fan of useless, funny apps, but this one, while adequate for a lighter simulator, could probably be better. You get to choose between several different Zippo lighter designs by finger scrolling before moving to the main lighter screen. Flip open the lighter using your finger or by physically flicking your wrist using the accelerometer. Flick the flint wheel to produce the flame. While lit, you can turn the iPhone and watch as the flame sways upward and turning it upside down causes your iPhone to vibrate. While it's a fairly good lighter simulator, the flame graphics are not as smooth as they could be, often lagging behind when you turn your iPhone. Still, with the well-known Zippo name attached to this app and the ability to choose different lighter styles, it's no wonder this simple, free iPhone App is rising up the most popular list.
What iPhone Apps do you like? If you have a favorite game or interesting app you use, let me know in the comments so I can check it out!
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
I was on the bus yesterday during my commute home and I decided to check out one of my latest iPhone apps to see if it worked as advertised. There was a loud-talking person yammering away on his cell phone (why must people do this?) and to get away from the racket, I stuck in my ear buds and launched WhiteNoise.
Simply touch the sound you want, adjust the volume, and relax.
(Credit: CNET Networks)WhiteNoise offers several neutral sounds that are perfect for blocking out annoying sounds and also can be quite relaxing. The interface offers eight buttons of soothing sounds you can start up immediately with a timer if you'd like to listen while you nod off to sleep. A small arrow in the lower-right corner of the screen lets you choose from 22 different sounds that you can move into your top eight for easy access. There are a few variations of rain and thunder storms, droning noises like fans and hair dryers, ticking grandfather clocks and wind chimes, and some sounds that offer ambiance like Amazon jungle sounds and deep city sounds. Almost all of the sounds are fairly good representations of what they're trying to emulate, and the rainstorm sounds are excellent. If you want to block the sounds of the outside world to help you concentrate or drown out those annoying bus passengers, this affordable iPhone App is a great choice ($0.99).
Choose your club, press the hit button, and perform your swing.
(Credit: CNET Networks)iGolf is another recent download for me. When I first saw this free game I was hoping for a real golf game in which I could play a course, but the actual game is pretty fun--if a bit limited. iGolf lets you use the iPhone's accelerometer to hit golf balls for distance like a portable driving range. Choose from three different clubs, get into your stance, touch the Hit button, and start your swing. It takes some getting used to with the timing of your swing (I heard the club hit the ball on my back swing more than a few times), but once you get the hang of it, you'll get some good hits. After the initial contact, you get to watch your ball travel past yardage markers like a driving range, and iGolf will save your best distances. I like iGolf, but it would be even better if you could actually play through a course using the same system (maybe we can all hope for an iGolf 2). Until then, it's fun knowing that I can bring a driving range anywhere on my iPhone.
Got a favorite new iPhone app? Let me know about your latest finds in the comments!
Who needs a pencil to track a golf game when you've got a finger? Seasoned swingers will benefit from a finger-friendly iPhone app that stores course, par, and game information. The free iGolfScorecard lays it all out in an attractive interface.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
Like many mobile apps, the simplicity here is refreshing. Bookmarking the site and creating an account are the hardest parts. Once that's ingested, you can immediately start entering course names and scores for 9-hole and 18-hole greens. iGolfScorecard tracks the par and stroke count for up to four players per game.
After the last swing, iGolfScorecard shows your overall scorecard and game statistics, including the total par and average. Once saved, you can in theory review statistics from a previous game. The scorecard I saved for my 9-hole game didn't immediately show up, which is disappointing, since the user experience up to this point had been blissfully smooth.... Read more
- prev
- 1
- next
